This “will revolutionise our understanding of the universe”. Bold words, but coming from the NASA administrator they’re all the more meaningful.

NASA’s Webb Telescope is entering the final stage of assembly. “We’ll be able to see what stars and galaxies are made of,” Deputy project manager and technical engineer Paul Geithner said, “and even perhaps detect the molecules that we know are associated with life in atmospheres around other planets orbiting other stars. It’s pretty exciting.”

Jason Robinson: I noticed the word of 'our' has gone - oh my mistake to think there was any kind of understanding. Just because you live here it doesn't mean you own it - humans say that a lot to those they class as lower life forms. (IMHO the idea of ownership by the living a wonderful thing - just hope it doesn't end in tears when a anti-life-as-we-know-it form is discovered)'will revolutionize our understanding of the universe'or'will offer ET more tech that is restricted from humans on Earth'

?Perhaps someone who thinks about having sex,life,love should also decide what they have invented without review with the power to inflict death or poverty on decedents aka criminals (along with spy-on and steal from them)

PS: Im guessing there is already a version pointed towards Earth that can see my fingernail or even smaller from way up there.

Jason Robinson: Always wondered - between coverups for decades of allowing child porn viewers to operate in Australia after coming to the notice of the FBI/NSA who kept it secret - what insurance is on the space junk should it endanger a non-friendly countries orbiting properties.

Jason Robinson: So America - after a single Australian child is left in the care of a man known to US authorities where an act of sexual abuse is alleged to of occurred - how many Americans should face a capital punishment for the act of the FBI keeping secret a list of known child porn users that resided in other countries around the world like Australia.

Some Americans demanded capital sentence on anyone it can be said risked one American life - fact is it was the American Government who demanded punishment. As a rights holding American whats it like to have laws you decide may or may not apply to you because of your job title {anyone ever do that behaviour back to your government or its people and what do you expect would be the reaction of a military complex hell bent on jobs for people who wont report abuse because it is US policy to use the same material when attacking the justice system of other countries around the world}.

PS: I wouldn't educate these crooks with knowlage of your technology - NASA could be faced with making web pages like the FBI did that were only made to abet criminal acts of terrorism which will occur in space that the USA will turn a blind eye too if the terrorism harms other countries citizens.

February is Black History Month and we’ll be taking the time to look at important people and events in the history of the African-American people.

“The civil rights movement brought this nation some of its most memorable moments ― the most memorable being the 1963 March on Washington.

What happened that day in the nation’s capital had significant impact on the 50 years that followed. Years later, women would march for equal rights; so would gays, and environmentalists, and the coalitions supporting equal rights for Native Americans, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Taken as a whole, what the civil rights movement gave people — all people — was the sense that profound change was possible.” Lonnie Bunch, director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

#FlashbackFriday takes us back to 2010 when former Astronaut Jim Reilly visited Canberra and spoke with kids at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex in Tidbinbilla. He wowed the crowd with his experiences on all three of his space shuttle missions and what it was like up there. Incredibly, he spent over 500 hours in space!

Secretary Kerry’s Special Adviser for Global Youth Issues Zeenat Rahman and CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps Barbara Bush will participate in a Google+ Hangout on “How Young People Are Transforming the Health World” at 1:00 a.m., Canberra time, Thursday, January 9.

It's an early (or maybe late) start but a great opportunity to discuss innovative solutions to global health problems .

The Hangout will be broadcast live on the Department of State’s YouTube channel and Google+ page.

During the 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Violence Against Women campaign, we will be talking with people at the Embassy who have been impacted by domestic violence to get their stories.

Here, our Cultural Affairs Officer shares a story from his time in the Philippines.

White Ribbon 2013 - Stories from the Embassy

Jason Robinson: Typical sexist one gender slander of another gender. Yes I do accept violent acts against women are wrong but denial of abuse towards men is NOT funny or something you watch and think its ok because they are 'acting'. At what age did you learn the society message about jail rape to deter crime - how did you feel - did you care for others or yourself - why do you continue to say nothing?

Today, Secretary Kerry released the 2013 Trafficking in Persons Report. The TIP Report assesses governments around the world on their efforts to combat modern slavery.

The 13th annual TIP Report includes narratives of 188 countries and territories, including Australia.

At the release of the Report, Secretary Kerry honored the 2013 TIP Report Heroes - men and women whose personal efforts have made an extraordinary difference in the global fight against modern slavery.

Today is World Day Against Child Labor! Did you know:- 91 million child laborers are under 11 years old- 115 million children work in hazardous conditions- 1.2 million child laborers are victims of human traffickingWe want to hear what you think about child labor.

Jason Robinson: I notice that is an AP image, can you confirm the children are not looting a construction site (almost looks like 2 children helping their parents build their home - to disprove that could you attach the video instead of 1 still image). I trust both parents permission was given at the time for the ?image? or video frame to be used in any manner, inclusive of propaganda to show how much worse life is in other countries.

The United States will soon have a new permanent representative at the United Nations. President Obama has asked current ambassador Susan Rice to become his new national security adviser.

Thomas Donilon has decided to step down after more than four years as the president’s top national security adviser.

The national security adviser works directly for the president as his chief national security affairs adviser and also is the head of the National Security Council staff.

Rice has represented the U.S. at the United Nations for the past four years. “Susan was a trusted adviser during my first campaign for president,” Obama said. “She helped to build my foreign policy team and lead our diplomacy at the United Nations in my first term.”

Obama also announced that another of his advisers, Samantha Power, will be nominated to be the next U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations. Power served on then-Senator Obama’s staff beginning in 2005.